The Reporters extend thumbs to Kiprusoff, Wrigley Field

TSN.ca Staff4/21/2013 11:13:54 AM

Text Size

Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss Miikka Kiprusoff, the Wrigley Field renovations, "celebrity" caddie Steve Williams, and Tommy Lasorda's snub of Jack Johnson.

Bruce Arthur, National Post: My thumb is up to Miikka Kiprusoff, who gave Calgary Flames fans something to cheer about, which hasn't happened an awful lot this season. They didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to Jarome Iginla in the proper fashion. But this week, in what might have been Kiprusoff's last home game – although he still may come back – he stopped 32 of 33 shots and gave Calgary fans a chance to cheer his name. You could argue this is screwing up the lottery position; not helping the Flames' future. But remember, this is Calgary, they've never been much for the future, have they?

Dave Naylor, TSN Radio 1050: My thumb is up to the Chicago Cubs and the city of Chicago for unveiling a $500 million plan to renovate Wrigley Field. Most of the great ballparks of the 20th Century are long gone by the new wave of stadiums. Two good things about this one: no taxpayer funding in an unusual move; and the manual scoreboard, while it may be moved, is still going to be part of it – one of the most charming elements of baseball.

Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is down to Steve Williams, the celebrity caddie. There is nothing more of an oxymoron than a celebrity caddie. Back in his native New Zealand, Williams was getting interviewed and said that Tiger Woods should have disqualified himself from the Masters because of his bad drop. Maybe so, but caddies – like children – should be seen and not heard.

Dave Hodge, TSN: My thumb is down to Tommy Lasorda, the former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who dropped the ceremonial first puck at the Los Angeles Kings game against Columbus on Thursday night. Before doing so, he shared some words with Kings captain Dustin Brown and after gently dropping the puck, Lasorda shook Brown's hand. There was a Columbus player involved too of course, but Lasorda never acknowledged Jack Johnson. Tommy left the ice without shaking Johnson's hand. Later Lasorda explained it was a snub because he said you do not talk to the opposition. Now I know that on skates Johnson must have seemed tall, but Tommy he wasn't Randy Johnson, who once wore the uniforms of dreaded opponents, such as the Giants and the Yankees, he was Jack Johnson, who once wore the uniform of the Kings.